Crocodylus moreletii

Common names: Morelet’s crocodile, alligator (Belize), Cocodrilo de pantano (Mexico) Range: Belize, Guatemala, Mexico

CITES: Appendix I
CSG Action Plan: Availability of Survey Data – Poor
Need for Wild Population Recovery – Moderate
Potential for Sustainable Management – Moderate
New IUCN Categories 1995: DD Data Deficient (Re-analysis at a CSG workshop in 1996 suggested a LRcd Lower Risk, conservation dependent category, Ross 1996.)
Principal threats: Habitat destruction, illegal hunting.

Ecology and natural history

The Morelet’s crocodile is a relatively little known species from the Atlantic coast of Mexico and northern Central America. This species was confused with C. rhombifer and C. acutus until it was shown to be a distinct species by Schmidt (1924). It is a moderately small species, today rarely exceeding 3m in length and has a relatively broad snout. The habitat of C. moreletii is primarily that of freshwater habitats, particularly marshes, swamps, ponds and lagoons, but in some areas this species can be found in brackish water areas. Throughout the southern portion of its range, this species overlaps with C. acutus, but the habitat relationship between these two species is not completely known. A good general account of many aspects of the behavior and ecology of this species was given by Alvarez del Toro (1974).

Morelet’s crocodile is the only New World crocodile that is exclusively a mound-nesting species. Normally, a clutch consists of 20–40 eggs, and oviposition occurs in Chiapas in April–June before the annual rainy season (Perez-Higareda 1980). Observations on captive animals reveal that females will respond to hatchling vocalizations and open the nests, and will also defend hatchlings against larger juveniles or subadult conspecifics (Hunt 1975, 1977).

Conservation and status

Populations of Morelet’s crocodile were greatly reduced in many areas due to uncontrolled hide hunting, which took place principally in the 1940s and 1950s. A limited amount of basic survey work is available over the range of the species in Mexico (Powell 1973, Campbell 1972b, Perez-Higareda 1980) and Belize (Abercrombie et al. 1980). Detailed surveys in Guatemala are lacking, although the species is reported to be reasonably common in the Peten area. More recent survey data available from Belize suggest some reduction of populations near human centers of population (Abercrombie et al. 1982) although the species is said to remain quite common in remote areas. Surveys at Cox lagoon 1990–1994 (Hunt and Tamarak 1992, Hunt et al. 1994), show a stable population of 18–45 non-hatchlings. Morelet’s crocodile is sympatric with C. acutus and extends its range into brackish habitats in the lagoons of northeastern Belize (Ouboter 1992, Meerman 1992), where several localities with small numbers of individuals are reported. A study of the biology of crocodiles, including C. moreletii, in Belize is underway (Platt 1994a, Platt and Montanucci 1993). Status in the south of Belize is unknown. Recent information on the status of the species in Mexico and Guatemala is lacking apart from incidental records (e.g. Sigler and Gonzalez 1994, Sigler 1994). Anecdotal reports suggest the species remains widely distributed in the Mexican states of Tabasco, Chiapas, Yucatan and Quintana Roo although it may be diminishing, largely due to habitat destruction and loss. Several populations have been established on the Pacific coast of Mexico by escapes from farms and deliberate introduction. The effect on local populations of C. acutus is of concern. The situation in the interior of Peten in Guatemala remains poorly known. There is inadequate quantitative information to judge the status of this species throughout the bulk of its range.

Populations of C. moreletii are considered to be depleted in all three countries within the species’ distribution. However, in some areas, such as the Centla Biosphere Reserve, Lacandon forest and the Sian Kaán Biosphere Preserve in Mexico, and in Belize, healthy populations exist. Although wild populations are protected in all three countries, some movement toward the development of sustainable management has been made. In Mexico, a number of commercial farming operations have started, including one in Sinaloa on the Pacific coast, outside the species’ natural range. Interest has been expressed both in Belize and Guatemala in initiating sustainable management programs as well. An application to register a captive breeding facility in Sinaloa for international trade was approved in 1996 by the CITES Secretariat.

Priority projects

High priority

Surveys of status and distribution in Guatemala: Little is known about this species in Guatemala, where, however, interest is developing in its commercial management. Status surveys and ecological studies need to be completed.

Surveys of status and distribution in Mexico: In view of the increasing interest in sustainable use and captive breeding of this species in Mexico, assessment of its current status and development of effective management and conservation are urgently needed. Little is known about populations along the Gulf of Mexico. In addition to expanded surveys, ecological work in the Sian Kaán Biosphere reserve should be continued, and a management plan developed for the species.

Moderate priority

Development of a management plan for Belize: Ongoing work by Howard Hunt and colleagues in Cox Lagoon, and by Steve Platt throughout Belize are providing baseline information on distribution and status. A population monitoring project and long-term ecological studies need to be implemented.

Morelet’s crocodile, Crocodylus moreletii. Photo by P. Ross